Decorum Devolves as Democrats Are Disrespected by RepublicansÂ
It is a clear example of just how partisan and angry relations between Republicans and Democrats have become, and how Donald Trump‘s arrogance and hate speech have rubbed off on his fellow Republicans. The questioning of the president-elect’s pick to become Treasury Secretary, Steven Mnuchin, began Thursday morning with a strange and off-color comment from Kansas Republican Senator Pat Roberts to his Democratic colleague, sparking anger and chaos in front of the very startled-looking nominee.
“Senator Wyden, I’ve got a Valium pill here that you might want to take before the second round, just a suggestion, sir,†Sen. Roberts, reaching toward his back pocket, said as the Senate Finance Committee was in session. Mnuchin, who has a bsckground as a Hollywood producer, looked stunned.
Democratic Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon, the ranking member of the committee, urged Sen. Roberts to continue questioning Mnuchin, but Roberts wasn’t finished with his strange remarks.
“Mr. Mnuchin, from the distinguished ranking member’s remarks, I understand you were in charge of the Great Recession,†Roberts said, hyperbolically and sarcastically, referring to Wyden’s lengthy opening statement. As The Washington Post explains, Wyden accused Mnuchin “of trying to pay as little in taxes as possible, and mismanaging various funds he was in charge of, at the expense of middle-class workers.”
Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio then jumped into the fray, saying, “Mr. Chairman, Mr. Chairman. I hope that comment about Valium doesn’t set the tone for 2017. I like Sen. Roberts, but I can’t quite believe he would say that to a distinguished senator from Oregon.”
Roberts, clearly testy, shot back, “I said that to the president of the United States!”
Watch: